The raid, as part of a planned operation, was made at 8.40pm and both brothers were being held at separate garda stations in the city overnight.

The Irish Independent understands that the two men are being held after they threatened to kill the ex-girlfriend — April Collins — of their brother Ger. Ms Collins has recently begun a relationship with a convicted rapist, Thomas O’Neill.

The arrest of John Dundon comes just over a week after he walked free from prison after finishing a two-year sentence for the possession of a stolen Mercedes car in Dublin in 2009.

It is understood threats were made over a lengthy period of time.

O’Neill (23) was one of five Limerick men who took part in the gang rape of a woman in Cratloe Woods, Co Clare, in January 2004. He was jailed for 10 years after he was described in court as the “ringleader”.

Originally from Lenihan Avenue, Ballinacurra-Weston — the stronghold of the McCarthy-Dundon gang– O’Neill now resides temporarily in the east Limerick village of Murroe.

Threats were made in recent weeks and the victim made a statement to gardai in Limerick city at the end of last week.

Both Wayne (33) and John Dundon (29) have previous convictions for threats to kill and have served lengthy prison sentences following conviction.

They were last night being held at Henry Street and Roxboro garda stations in Limerick.

A garda spokesman said that the arrests were made following “serious offences”.

In 2005, John Dundon was convicted of threatening to kill state witness Owen Treacy during the high-profile Kieran Keane murder trial in 2003. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.

Intimidation

It comes as the father of murdered Roy Collins accused the gang responsible for his son’s killing of continuing their campaign of intimidation by using the same gym as another son.

The Irish Independent has learned that three head figures of the McCarthy-Dundon gang are working out in the same gym as Steve Collins Jnr (28).

Wayne and John Dundon and their cousin Larry McCarthy have all been spotted at the Limerick city gym recently.

Steve Collins, whose son Roy was murdered by the McCarthy-Dundon gang in 2009, has said the intimidation campaign against his family is continuing.

All members of the Collins family are receiving 24-hour garda protection.

The Irish Independent understands that a large number of patrons have stopped using the gym since the gang members first appeared there. When contacted last night, the gym said it had “no comment” to make.

Roy Collins was shot dead on April 9, 2009, as he worked at his amusement arcade in Roxboro shopping centre.

James Dillon (25) was sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder last May. The killing happened five years after Wayne Dundon threatened to kill Ryan Lee, Roy’s cousin.

– Barry Duggan

Irish Independent

NEWS UPDATE:

TWO leading members of one of the country’s most notorious criminal gangs are to appear in court today on charges related to threats to kill a 23-year-old woman.

The brothers, aged 29 and 33, are key figures in the McCarthy-Dundon criminal gang based in the south side of Limerick city.

The two men are due to face separate charges in relation to the incident.

A 21-year-old woman, who is related to the men, was also arrested yesterday as part of the investigation.

The three were questioned at separate Garda stations in relation to alleged threats made against an ex-girlfriend of another family member.

They were also being quizzed about threats made against the woman’s father and brother.

The 23-year-old woman at the centre of the complaint is the former partner of a leading member of the McCarthy-Dundon gang and they have three children together. She has made a formal complaint to gardaí about the threats made against her.

The two brothers were arrested at 8.40pm on Monday as part of a planned operation involving members of the Armed Response Unit.

The men were arrested in the Hyde Road area of Limerick, the stronghold of the McCarthy-Dundon criminal outfit.

They were being held under Section Five of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.

The 29-year-old was being detained at Henry Street Garda Station while the 33-year-old was in custody at Roxboro Garda Station.

The 21-year-old woman was also being questioned at Henry Street.

Two other men aged in their early 20s were also arrested yesterday as part of the same inquiry.

They were being detained at Bruff Garda Station in Co Limerick and at Mayorstone Garda Station in the city.

NEWS UPDATE:

Brothers Wayne and John Dundon have appeared at Limerick District Court charged with threatening to kill a number of people.

Wayne Dundon – Charged with threatening to kill a man

John Dundon – Charged with threatening to kill two women

Two brothers have appeared at Limerick District Court charged with threatening to kill a number of people.

Wayne Dundon, 33, and his brother John, 29, both with an address at Lenihan Avenue in Ballinacurra Weston in Limerick, have been remanded in custody for a week.

Wayne Dundon was refused bail. Bail for John Dundon will be considered at court on Wednesday next week.

Wayne Dundon is charged with threatening to kill a man on 30 September last.

He made no reply when formally charged last night.

An application to release him on bail was made to the court, but it was refused by Judge Tom O’Donnell, after he heard gardaí had fears that witnesses would be intimidated.

He also heard that Wayne Dundon now mostly resides in England, where he uses the names McCarthy and Dundon, and that he also has property in Turkey.

The court heard he poses a flight risk and may not turn up in court.

The judge also reserved his decision on granting legal aid to Wayne Dundon, until he got a full statement of means, after he heard unchallenged evidence that he has assets in Turkey.

John Dundon is charged with threatening to kill two women – a mother and daughter – in Limerick on dates between 3 April and 4 April.

His application for bail was abruptly ended after he shouted at gardaí and at the judge in court.

Judge O’Donnell will deal with his bail application and his application for legal aid on 20 April.

He also ordered that the names of the injured parties in all three charges not be published.